AS 2419
Fire Hydrant Block Plans
A fire hydrant block plan is a schematic diagram showing the layout of a building's hydrant system. It identifies hydrant locations, booster connections, isolating valves, pipe runs and zone boundaries — giving fire crews and maintenance technicians a clear operational picture of the installed system.
What is a fire hydrant block plan?
A hydrant block plan (sometimes called a hydrant schematic or hydraulic block diagram) is a simplified representation of a building's fire hydrant system. Unlike a full hydraulic design drawing, it focuses on the layout, zoning and key components rather than pipe sizes and pressure calculations. It is used by fire brigades during response, by maintenance technicians during routine servicing (AS 1851), and by certifiers when assessing compliance.
Why do you need one?
Australian Standard AS 2419.1 requires that a block plan be displayed at the hydrant booster assembly. Fire brigades rely on the block plan to understand system layout before entering a building. Without an accurate, up-to-date block plan, your Annual Fire Safety Statement may be incomplete and your building may fail audit.
What AS 2419 requires on the plan
The standard specifies that the block plan must show: booster assembly location and configuration, hydrant valve locations on each level, isolating valve positions, pipe routing (schematic), zone boundaries and identifiers, floor level references, and north orientation where appropriate.
Common problems we solve
Many existing buildings have hydrant block plans that are outdated, inaccurate, or missing entirely. Common defects include: plans that don't match installed valves, missing zone identifiers, illegible or damaged posted plans, plans that have not been updated after system modifications, and no block plan at all in older buildings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a hydrant block plan the same as a hydraulic drawing?
No. A hydraulic drawing is a detailed engineering design document showing pipe sizes, pressure calculations and flow rates. A block plan is a simplified schematic for operational use — showing system layout, zones and key components without design detail.
Where must the block plan be displayed?
AS 2419.1 requires the block plan to be displayed at the fire brigade booster connection. Many buildings also post copies in the fire control room and at each hydrant landing valve.
How often should hydrant block plans be updated?
Block plans should be updated whenever the hydrant system is modified — for example when valves are added, relocated or decommissioned. They should also be reviewed as part of routine AS 1851 maintenance inspections.
Do you need to inspect the building?
In most cases, yes. We attend site to verify the installed system against any existing documentation. For new buildings with accurate as-built drawings, we can sometimes prepare plans from documentation alone.
Can you reconstruct a block plan from scratch?
Yes. We specialise in reconstructing hydrant block plans for existing buildings with no usable documentation. Our engineers physically trace the system and produce new compliant plans.